Wednesday, February 17

It's the Season for California Cara-Cara Oranges

When my mom and nieces arrived the other night from Rhode Island, I asked them what they wanted to do while they were in California. The 9-year-old said, "Buy California oranges for Daddy!"

Keep in mind that Jeff and I live within 15 minutes of the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and some fantastic beaches. But, it was oranges they wanted, so oranges they got. Lots of them. We went to the Coronado farmers' market and bought freshly picked California navel, blood, and Cara-Cara oranges.

Cara-Cara oranges, which are at their peak in California right now, are refreshing, tangy, and juicy, sort of like a sweeter version of pink grapefruit. In fact because of their brilliant pinkish-orange flesh, they're often called "pink navels." They're delicious eaten out-of-hand, but I love them in winter salads, like this Frisee and Cara-Cara Orange Salad. The contrasting flavors of bitter frisee and sweet-tart Cara-Cara oranges are balanced with a lively mustard, orange juice, and sherry vinaigrette.

Now that we've got the orange buying out of the way, we can finally go to the zoo. Let's hope they don't want to bring Daddy an elephant or a giraffe.

I've never had Cara-Cara oranges, but this recipe of yours makes me want to seek them out. You sure are on top of the orange scene, Susan! I love learning about exotic (to me anyway) citrus fruits and know just the place to come!

That's so funny that oranges were at the top of the list. Someone's trained that girl well. I don't know that Cara-Cara oranges are available around here. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled....or come to San Diego.

I have never heard of Cara-Cara oranges before I'm from Massachusetts and 2 weeks ago I was sick with the 24 hour bug and craved a juicy delicious orange and bought a bag of Cara _Cara thinking they were regular oranges. I like em, not as much as a normal orange but their not bad.

This salad looks so refreshing and oranges really delicious! In Italy we have oranges from Sicily, but in this time of the year when here in the north snows and it's really cold, I am a bit envious of your California temperatures! ;)